The Script: Simulation lab coordinator presents innovative training at conference

COPHS Staff | 03/13/2018

Tamara Baird, simulation lab coordinator, represented the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences as a podium presenter for the Tennessee Simulation Alliance’s Patient + Safety = Simulation Conference held in Memphis, in November, and at the 16th Annual International Conference on Education in Waikiki, Hawaii in January 2018.

Baird’s presentation, titled “Increasing patient safety through more efficient communication. Utilizing standardized patients in simulation to improve communication skills of nursing students” was a collaboration between nursing faculty members Dr. Ruth Corey, executive director of the School of Nursing, and Jenna Sissom, adult health nursing course coordinator.

Based on Dr. Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment and Dr. Frank Dance’s communication principles, Tamara created a new theoretical framework of communication with her Communication Exchange Model (CEM) and RESPECT acronym. This approach focuses primarily on learning and applying principles of self-awareness while communicating with nurses, patients and their families.

Every aspect of this simulation was original material based on evidence-based practice and patient safety standards and protocols from the National League of Nursing. Senior nursing students currently enrolled in Mrs. Sissom’s Adult Health II Nursing course were asked to complete online lessons about communication written by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement prior to the simulation.

During the simulation students interacted with the patient, patient’s family and other nurses. Preliminary data shows that both students and faculty enjoyed the simulation experience. Students responded favorably realizing how communicating with an anxious patient can be difficult. Giving the patient an appropriate therapeutic response can “help the patient by allowing them to feel like they are heard and cared for as more than just a patient but also as a human.”

“According to the 2015 report from the Joint Commission Office of Quality and Patient Safety, communication problems rank as one of the top three reasons for sentinel events within our country. Our goal as nurse educators is to improve the communication skills of our nursing students and give them the tools they need to provide excellent patient care,” said Baird.

This simulation was well received at the Tennessee Simulation Alliance Conference, Baird said. Positive feedback from the attendees reflected appreciation for the new Communication Exchange Model and the innovative approach to create new simulations using standardized patients. Data from this simulation is being analyzed in anticipation of publication next semester.

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